Metro de Bogota: Project Update

Metro de Bogota engineering studies are expected to be completed and plans finalized by 24th September this year, with the works tenders scheduled to open shortly after. Line 1 of the network should be in full operation by 2021.

The Urban Development Institute (IDU) has reported that the 15 month engineering study is 62% complete and that the bidding process for the infrastructure work is now being prepared. By 24 September 2014, the civil engineering, architecture, electronics, rolling stock and approximate cost of the project will be defined and fixed.

The ongoing studies consist of three phases; firstly, civil works, then the identification of the electromechanical architecture and infrastructure required, and finally the selection of rolling stock and a general estimate of cost.

Field work for the project is almost complete, as is the study of topography and the surface level path that metro should follow. The IDU has noted that they are currently working on the geotechnical solutions, which will identify the mechanical, hydraulic and engineering solutions to make the subterranean route possible.

The Metro is expected to be operational by 2021, with 11 areas of the city predicted to benefit, totalling around 55% of the population. The project aims to transport around 45,000 passengers per hour, while ongoing works should mean that by 2050 the capacity will be serve 80,000 users each hour.

The project is initially projected to cost around US$3 billion, with 70% of the funding to come from the national government.

Stations are expected to have a width of between 22 and 26 meters, a length of 200 to 300 meters and a depth of 15 to 25 meters.

The metro will have 27 stations across the city, will have a length of 27 kilometers and will be entirely underground. The network will have 7 trains, 50 cars and operate with an electric traction system. The metro will also have extensive integration with the cities existing transport networks, with 7 transfer points where passengers can join the Transmilenio.

The studies revealed in November last year that the subterranean conditions were well suited to the development of a heavy rail network and that the proposed route shouldn’t face any problems of this type during construction.

Bidding is expected to begin shortly after the conclusion of final studies this year, with works expected to start in the months that follow.